Robert Baran

I am an attorney, yoga teacher, formerly licensed massage therapist, husband, and father of three teenagers. I live in Kansas City, Missouri. I grew up in Chicago, and have lived in St. Louis, Kansas City, Phoenix, Arizona, and Japan (for about 6 years). Daily exercise has been an integral part of my life since 8th grade. I just turned fifty and feel great! 

My yoga journey began nine years ago when I tried a Sumits Hot Yoga class in Phoenix, Arizona. I have been practicing almost daily since! When we moved from Phoenix to Kansas City, in 2010 I had planned on opening up my own studio but, as good luck would have it, someone else was already opening up a Sumits close to my home. I flew back to Phoenix and did an intensive 4-week training program to be come a teacher. I have been teaching at Sumits Yoga KC in Olathe, Kansas approximately 2-4 times a week since March 2015. (1 x week since Covid, though.)

My friend, Joni Rauen, who also teaches for FitBodies, encouraged me to apply. I am very outgoing and connect well with my students. I believe strongly in the philosophy that we hold emotions, stress, negative thoughts, hang-ups, etc., in our bodies, and we can free ourselves from those through exercise and yoga. In my yoga classes I strive for a balance of focus, intensity, and fun.  I especially love teaching the Sumits sequence because it has a combination of meditative poses, balancing poses, and upbeat flows (set to fun music). In addition to the Sumits sequence (or modifications thereof), I can teach flow, restorative, and sculpt classes.  Also, I've been to at least one resort that uses FitBodies instructors (Sandpiper Bay Club Med) and know that I would thoroughly enjoy teaching in that environment.

Thank you,

Robert Baran